The self-proclaimed Donetsk Republic has called for annexation to Russia.

Reuters reported on May 12 that Ukraine's breakaway Donetsk region has filed a request with Moscow to consider annexing the area to the Russian Federation in order to "restore historical justice."

Speaking at a press conference in Donetsk, the self-proclaimed governor of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, stated: "Based on the will of the people and the restoration of historical justice, we call on the Russian Federation to consider annexing the Donetsk People's Republic into the Russian Federation. The people of Donetsk have always been a part of the Russian Federation... The history of Russia is our history."

Residents of Donetsk participate in the referendum. (Source: AFP/VNA)

Meanwhile, the office of Ukraine's interim prime minister said it had no immediate response to Pushilin's statement.

On the same day, Russia called on the interim Ukrainian government to hold a nationwide discussion on the country's future structure.

According to VNA